Posted on 05/21/2004 10:05:21 AM PDT by GailA
Legislation ties 2006 pay increase to that of state employees in 2005
By TOM HUMPHREY, tomhumphrey3@aol.com May 21, 2004
NASHVILLE - In rapid-fire votes, the House and Senate on Thursday approved a bill to raise legislator salaries and expense allowances while leaving other issues - including a $24 billion state budget - to await action today.
The increase in basic legislator salary, which has stood at $16,500 per year since 1985, will not take effect until 2006 under the bill. Legislators elected that year will then receive whatever percentage pay raise is given to state employees in 2005.
The best thing we could do for state employees is to tie our salaries to theirs," said Sen. Jim Kyle, D-Memphis, Senate sponsor.
The increase in legislative "home office allowance" will be from $525 per month to $1,000 per month. It takes effect after the Nov. 2 election this year.
"Our expenses have been going up and up and up as we get more constituents and more duties," said Rep. Mike Kernell, D-Memphis, House sponsor, in an interview.
"It costs me $1,000 a year for this thing nobody had heard of back in 1985," he said, waving a cellular telephone.
The bill had languished, little noticed, in subcommittees of the House and Senate Finance for more than a year.
On Thursday afternoon, when most lawmakers were still talking of adjournment by the day's end, the measure was rapidly approved by both committees. The Senate Finance Committee voted 7-3 for the version of the bill that was ultimately approved.
The bill was then brought promptly to the Senate floor for a vote, placed ahead of dozens of measures still awaiting action. The Senate vote was 17-14 on a bipartisan basis.
"I think it's time to make an adjustment. I think this is a reasonable approach," said Senate Republican Leader Ben Atchley of Knoxville, who is not seeking re-election this fall.
When the bill takes effect, it will cost an estimated $501,600 per year. Sponsors said the funds will be shifted from other uses in the Legislature's overall budget, including an allowance now designated for postage.
Six Republicans and 11 Democrats voted for the bill in the Senate. East Tennesseans voting for the bill were Atchley and Sens. Ward Crutchfield, D-Chattanooga; Randy McNally, R-Oak Ridge; Jeff Miller, R-Cleveland; Steve Southerland, R-Morristown; and Mike Williams, R-Maynardville.
Six Democrats and eight Republicans voted against it. East Tennesseans voting against it were Sens. Bill Clabough, R-Maryville; Rusty Crowe, R-Johnson City; David Fowler, R-Signal Mountain; Tommy Kilby, D-Wartburg; and Ron Ramsey, R-Blountville.
Within 30 minutes of Senate passage, the bill was on the House floor for a vote. It was approved 54-43, also on a bipartisan basis, with only brief debate. That sent the bill to Gov. Phil Bredesen for his signature. East Tennessee House members voting for the bill included Reps. Joe Armstrong, D-Knoxville; H.E. Bittle, R-Knoxville; Harry Brooks, R-Knoxville; Steve Buttry, R-Knoxville; Dennis Ferguson, D-Harriman; Bill Harmon, D-Dunlap; David Hawk, R-Greeneville; Russell Johnson, R-Loudon; Joe McCord, R-Maryville; Bob McKee, R-Athens; Richard Montgomery, R-Seymour; Chris Newton, R-Cleveland; and Raymond Walker, R-Crossville.
East Tennesseans voting against in the House included Reps. William Baird, R-Jacksboro; Duane Bunch, R-Cleveland; Jerome Cochran, R-Elizabethton; David Davis, R-Johnson City; Bill Dunn, R-Knoxville; Steve Godsey, R-Blountville; Jim Hackworth, D-Oak Ridge; Jamie Hagood, R-Knoxville; Mike Harrison, R-Rogersville; Jon Litz, D-Morristown; Jason Mumpower, R-Bristol; Doug Overbey, R-Maryville; Bob Patton, R-Johnson City; Dennis Roach, R-Rutledge; Harry Tindell, D-Knoxville; Nathan Vaughn, D-Kingsport; Les Winningham, D-Huntsville; and Eddie Yokley, D-Greeneville.
The $24 billion state budget remains the biggest remaining hurdle to adjournment today. The Senate approved the budget Wednesday and the House Finance Committee approved it Thursday with only a few - relatively minor - changes.
Tom Humphrey may be reached at 615-242-7782.
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